{PRP} Herbs in the Garden (Little Rue & Artaius)

[lysia_nyteblade]

He'd been returning from gathering a bit of sweet grass to share with he as a meal. It was as he drew nearer he could hear the familiar whinny. This time however, the whinny wasn't the sweet joyous welcoming he often heard. Something wasn't right. In fact, all was amiss.

Dropping the bundle he was carrying, he rushed forward to see what was the cause of such a distressed call. His beloved could be hurt or worse. His mind's eye could see any number of things that could befall a pregnant mare. Not knowing was likely worst of it. Skin walkers, kalona, anything, even as close to the teepee she stayed near. Oh, why hadn't she just come with him? Why hadn't he made her leave so he could protect her? Was he to loose her after she'd saved his soul? Was he to loose everything with her?

He had to push the thoughts from his mind before he sent himself in a spiral. It took only minutes to draw close enough to see but the minutes seemed more to be like hours as he ran, muscles flexing charged with adrenalin. Nostrils flaring, he came to a halt just short of the golden coated mare. At first glance, there was no threat that he could see. Scanning the area once more he saw the native woman over the mare and he whinnied a warning, pawing at the ground.

He didn't recognize the woman at first, then slowly he began to make sense of things. She was just as Rue had described. Pinning his ears back, he still didn't like it. He didn't trust the woman however, Rue vouched for her kindness before. As he kept his distance, he began to pace back and forth as though he were walking an invisible fence. If this woman's presence made Rue all the more calm, he'd have to trust that she wouldn't pose a threat. As he paced, he eyed the baskets. Three? He blinked his eyes a few times before looking back to the baskets that were awaiting their little arrivals. Sure enough, there were three setting to the side. He felt as though the world was moving under his feet. Never had he dreamed they'd actually be greeting three little ones.

Rein_Carnation

 

[lysia_nyteblade]

Rein_Carnation

Artaius waited till the woman had left before finally making his was cautiously towards his beloved mate. Lowering his head, he first inspected her, nuzzling and lipping at her mane affectionately before moving to inspect the baskets. "Three.." His voice was full of wonder. Both of his previous sons had been singlet's and now here he was welcoming three healthy foals into the world to protect and care for. As he inspected each one, he nudged the baskets closer to their mother before finally settling himself on the other side of her.

Nudging and nuzzling her, he coaxed her to rest herself against his solid form. "You've done well my Little Rue." He cooed into her ear tenderly. "Rest now, Sleep and I shall look over you and our little ones. You've been through enough, my love now rest." He lipped at her cheek once more trying to reassure her. He knew she had to be worn out from bringing their foals into the world.

The least he could do now, was to let her rest and protect the four of them while Rue slept. He looked over the baskets that held their young ones, admiring each in their own right. It was remarkable. He's awaited this day to come eagerly, and here they were. Three healthy foals, all in their colorful wicker cells till they could come out and see them face to face. He wondered, How his older sons might take their existence. Shilo and he still had tensions and issues to resolve. Hopefully he wouldn't take their personal issues out on his younger brothers when he finally learned of them.  

[lysia_nyteblade]

Artaius had gone out to forage food for Rue again. He'd left early in the morning while she slept having nudged the baskets tenderly back against their dreaming mother. He'd tolerated being close by the woman that seemed to care for the new family especially in his absence. He'd even grown adapt to staying within the teepee or at least near by it so that he could keep guard over his foals and their mother.

Still, it was a reprieve for hm to have his daily task of finding and returning with food for the golden mare. He'd even swiped an empty basket from beside the teepee that could carry his finds. He'd gathered plenty of grass and even some apples and other things he liked the taste of himself. Of course he wasn't about to brig her things he had not himself first tried.

Returning to the teepee, he poked his head in through the flap and looked first over the baskets and then to where he'd left their mother. 'Wait a moment,' he thought to himself. Where was she? Counting the numbers of his family over once more still he came up one short. Backing out slowly, he made his way to the herbs to see if maybe just maybe she'd taken to try and tend the garden.

'Not here either.' Returning to the teepee, he dropped the basket of food off and hastened his pace. Just where could she have gone? Surely she wouldn't have abandoned their foals. No, there had to be an answer. He continued his search around the encampment hoping to find her. His mind was starting to whirl. What if while she was out something happened? Perhaps a predator had taken advantage of her state?

He shook his head forcing the fears no matter how rational back down. He needed to be thinking rationally and logically. It wouldn't do himself or Rue any good to be in a panic. As he drew closer to some apple trees, his heart dropped. On the ground was the golden figure he'd been searching for. Galloping over, he came to a halt once he reached her side. Lowering his massive head down, he checked her over, nudging and nosing her as he went. If she were injured, he'd need to know but mostly, he needed to reassure himself that she still drew breath.

"Rue," He hesitated as he spoke. "Rue, Wake up." The silence was thick like it could be sliced through with a blade. He was hoping she'd awaken soon, ease the knot that was forming in the pit of his stomach as she lay there un-moving. She drew breath yet still and as far as he knew, she wasn't injured. Oh why in the world would she go and wander off if she was still feeling weak?

Rein_Carnation